Sanitary smoking apparatus and method of smoking

ABSTRACT

The present invention in one aspect discloses a sanitary smoking apparatus and a method for smoking using the sanitary smoking apparatus. The sanitary smoking apparatus comprises a hollow cylindrical tube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end has at least one slit opening. The sanitary smoking apparatus further comprises a top portion and a bottom portion of the distal end of the hollow cylindrical tube comprises at least one or more loops. In an embodiment, the distal end of the hollow cylindrical tube is configured to be stretched apart using the one or more loops. In an embodiment the distal end is configured to hold a smoking element, and wherein the proximal end is inserted in a mouth of a user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 of U.S. PatentApplication No. 63/162,904 filed Mar. 18, 2021, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a smoking apparatus, and moreparticularly to a method for sanitary smoking using a sanitary smokingtip.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a cigarette holder enables a user to mount the cigarettewithin the holder, light the cigarette while in the holder, smoke thecigarette while in the holder isolating the combustion byproductsthrough a motorized filtering assembly housed within a housing, whichremoves the cigarette's byproducts from the air before exhausting theair, thereby protecting others from secondary smoke and other productsproduced during smoking. When finished smoking, the cigarette is thenextinguished while in the housing by an extinguishing canister thatencompasses the lit end of the cigarette.

Another conventional cigarette holder comprises a mouthpiece adapted toreceive a cigarette. An elongated hollow body member has one end securedto the mouthpiece and is arranged to enclose a cigarette held in themouthpiece. A housing has one end open and has an end wall substantiallyclosing the other end thereof arranged so that the open end is securedto the other end of the body. The end wall of the housing is formed withan air intake opening. A baffle member is mounted in the housingadjacent the opening and in light shielding relation thereof relative tothe remainder of the interior of the housing. A match striking surfaceis carried by the baffle member. The housing is formed with an openingadjacent the match-striking surface for the admission of a match.

Yet another conventional smoking device comprises a rectangular metalliccasing that includes a bottom, end walls and side walls. The top of thecasing is open and the side walls have perforations therein insubstantially the upper halves of the walls. A neck projects inwardlyfrom one of the end walls. The neck projects into the perforated part ofthe casing. The end wall has an opening in its lower half. A drawerpasses through the opening into the unperforated part of the casing. Aholder for cigarettes and cigars has a reduced part passing through theneck and a head located in the perforated part of the casing. A tube isconnected with the projecting portion of the reduced part. A mouthpieceis on the free end of the tube. A substantially anticlinal perforatedcover fits over the upper open end of the casing. The internal walls ofthe casing and cover are plain and unobstructed with the exception ofthe neck.

There are other smoking devices designed for smoking cigarettes therein.While these devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they weredesigned, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the presentinvention as heretofore described.

It is thus desirable to provide a smoking apparatus that is made offlexible material which helps in insulating a user's fingers from heatdissipated the smoking element, and further it is desired that such asmoking apparatus would protect the user from germs and bodily fluidseven if the same smoking element is smoked by another user.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. The presentinvention relates generally to a sanitary smoking tip and method ofsmoking. More so, the sanitary smoking tip includes a tubular or conicalshaped flexible tube defining a cigarette insert end that has slits anda handle portion for increasing the diameter to insert a cigarette, anda resilient mouth end for snugly inserting a mouthpiece.

The present invention in one aspect discloses a sanitary smokingapparatus. The sanitary smoking apparatus comprises a hollow cylindricaltube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end hasat least one slit opening. The sanitary smoking apparatus furthercomprises a top portion and a bottom portion of the distal end of thehollow cylindrical tube comprises at least one or more loops. In anembodiment, the distal end of the hollow cylindrical tube is configuredto be stretched apart using the one or more loops. In an embodiment thedistal end is configured to hold a smoking element, and wherein theproximal end is inserted in a mouth of a user.

The present invention discloses another aspect for a method of smoking.The method comprises inserting one or more fingers of a user in one ormore loops of a sanitary smoking apparatus for gripping the sanitarysmoking apparatus, the sanitary smoking apparatus comprising a hollowcylindrical tube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein thedistal end has a slit opening. The method further comprises stretchingthe one or more loops to apply pressure in a direction perpendicular toa length of the hollow cylindrical tube using the inserted fingers suchthat the slit opening expands. The method further comprises inserting asmoking element at the distal end, inside the expanded slit opening ofthe hollow cylindrical tube. The method further comprises releasing thepressure on the one or more loops such that the one or more loopsretract and revert to an original state. The method further comprisessecuring the smoking element inserted in the slit opening by pressingthe one or more loops towards each other. The method further comprisesinserting the proximal end of the hollow cylindrical tube in a mouth ofa user to perform smoking of the smoking element.

The present invention discloses another aspect for a sanitary smokingtip and method of smoking includes a tubular or conical shaped flexibletube. The tube defines a cigarette insert end that has longitudinalslits and a handle portion. The handle portion is operable to pull apartlongitudinal sections of the cigarette insert end, along the slits. Thisserves to increase the diameter of the cigarette insert end, so as toenable ingress of a cigarette. The longitudinal sections are biased toreturn to the natural tube shape after the cigarette has been inserted.The tube also defines an opposing, and resilient, mouth end having adiameter that stretches to increase for snugly inserting a mouthpieceinside. Once the cigarette has been affixed inside the cigarette insertend, and the mouth piece inserted inside the mouth end, the sanitarysmoking tip enables a smoker to smoke and share a cigarette withoutcontact from other smoker's saliva and germs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, togetherwith the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary sanitary smoking tip, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a frontal view of the sanitary smoking tip shown inFIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the sanitary smoking tip shown in FIG.1, showing a cigarette aligned with the cigarette insert end of thetube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal view of the sanitary smoking tip, showingthe fingers applying outward pressure on the handle portion, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the sanitary smoking tip, showing thelongitudinal sections of the cigarette insertion end separated to enableinsertion of the cigarette, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the sanitary smoking tip, showing thelongitudinal sections of the cigarette insertion end in the natural tubeposition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the sanitary smoking tip, showing thelongitudinal sections of the cigarette insertion end in the natural tubeposition snugly retaining the mouth end of the cigarette, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a smoker receiving the sanitarysmoking tip, and a cigarette inserted therein, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate perspective view of a smoker smoking a cigarettewith the sanitary smoking tip, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method forsmoking with a sanitary smoking tip, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 11A-11E illustrate perspective views of an alternative embodimentof the sanitary smoking tip, where FIG. 11A shows an inner conicalsmoking tip, FIG. 11B shows an outer cylindrical smoking tip having alarger diameter, FIG. 11C shows a ring-shaped handle portion, FIG. 11Dshows the inner conical smoking tip and the outer cylindrical smokingtip, with slits in each smoking tip, and FIG. 11E shows the innerconical smoking tip disposed inside the cavity of the outer cylindricalsmoking tip, such that both smoking tips can receive a cigarette in asecure, safe manner, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 12A-12L illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a torsion spring arrangement in order to createthe slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 13A-13F illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a hinge based arrangement in order to createthe slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 14A-14I illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a tweezers based arrangement in order to createthe slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a thimble based arrangement in order to createthe slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure; and

FIGS. 16A-16D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a roach clip based arrangement in order tocreate the slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Whileexamples and features of disclosed principles are described herein,modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possiblewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosedembodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description beconsidered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit beingindicated by the following claims.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure andare not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is definedby the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,”“lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to beunderstood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in theattached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in theappended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not tobe considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like referencenumerals are intended to identify the same structural elements,portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawingfigures, as may be further described or explained by the entire writtenspecification of which this detailed description is an integral part.The drawings are intended to be read together with the specification andare to be construed as a portion of the entire “written description” ofthis invention as required by 35 U.S.C. § 112.

One objective of the present invention is to minimize the transfer ofgerms and saliva between smokers sharing a smoking element, such as acigarette through use of a flexible, sanitary smoking tip that easilyreceives a 300 from one end, and a mouthpiece from an opposing end.

Another objective is to form slits/splits in the cigarette insert end,so as to facilitate separating the cigarette insert end to insert thecigarette.

Yet another objective is to provide a mouth end that is flexible, so asto easily and snugly receive a mouthpiece.

Another objective is to insulate the hands of the smoker form the heatof the cigarette through use of food grade silicone material.

An exemplary objective is to provide a sanitary smoking tip that isfabricated from food grade silicone, which minimizes germs.

Additional objectives are to provide an inexpensive way to manufacturethe sanitary smoking tip.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that smokers who share acigarette usually pass the cigarette mouth-to-mouth. The sanitarysmoking tip provides a means to smoke and share the cigarette withoutcontact of the other smoker's saliva or germs. The prior art smoking tipis sized and dimensioned to receive a rolled substance size. However,the prior art is not universal, so as to accept all sorts and diametersof cigarettes, so as to open and close to go over the filter end of thecigarette for personal sanitary purposes. This sanitary smoking tip isthus, configured to open and close with finger and thumb rings/bands topull apart and fit the cigarette, no matter the size of filter.

A unique novel aspect is that sanitary smoking tip has a tubular orconical shaped tube with a cigarette insert end for inserting acigarette, and a mouth end for inserting a mouthpiece. The cigaretteinsert end is sized to removably fit a cigarette. The mouth end is sizedto removably fit a mouthpiece therein. A pair of opposing slits cutthrough a section of the cigarette insert end. A pair of rings projectfrom the outer surface of the tube, adjacent to the cigarette insertend. In one embodiment, a pair of rings that make up handle portion canbe pulled apart to widen the slits; and thereby increase the diameter ofthe cigarette insert end. This larger diameter is effective forfacilitating the ingress and egress of the cigarette. Handle portion canbe pinched together to snugly retain the cigarette in the cigaretteinsert end. The tube is fabricated from food grade silicone.

Disclosed herein is a sanitary smoking tip. The sanitary smoking tipcomprises of a flexible, cylindrical-shaped tube defining a channelhaving opposing openings. In an embodiment, the tube further defining acigarette insert end and an opposing mouth end, the cigarette insert enddefining one or more slits, the slits segregating the cigarette insertend into multiple longitudinal sections. In an embodiment, the slitsconfigured to enable adjacent longitudinal sections of the cigaretteinsert end to separate. In an embodiment, the flexible configuration ofthe cigarette insert end configured to bias the adjacent longitudinalsections together, so as to form the natural cylindrical-shaped tube. Inan embodiment, the mouth end being sufficiently pliable, so as to enablethe diameter to increase. The sanitary smoking tip comprises a handleportion disposed on the cigarette insert end, the handle portionproviding a grip surface to enable pulling and separating thelongitudinal sections of the cigarette insert end. In an embodiment,when the longitudinal sections of the cigarette insert end areseparated, the cigarette ingresses the cigarette insert end, and whenthe longitudinal sections are in the natural tubular shape, thecigarette is snugly retained inside the cigarette insert end. In anembodiment, when a mouth piece ingresses the mouth end, the diameterincreases, so as to create a snug fit with the mouth piece.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary sanitary smoking tip, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention presented in FIGS. 1-11E, asanitary smoking tip 100 and method 1000 of smoking, includes a tubularor conical shaped flexible tube 102 for retaining a cigarette in asanitary manner, while smoking. The sanitary smoking apparatus 100(interchangeably termed as the sanitary smoking tip 100) comprises ahollow cylindrical tube having a proximal end and a distal end. In anembodiment, the distal end has at least one slit opening. In anembodiment, the at least one slit opening comprises two opposing slitsthat extend in either a longitudinal direction or a horizontal directionof the distal end.

In an embodiment, the term slit opening may also correspond to a splitopening. In an embodiment, the slit may be manufactured duringmanufacturing of the sanitary smoking tip and the slit opening may besplit apart or stretched apart using a plurality of mechanism, such astorsion springs, hinge based mechanism, magnets or screws.

In an embodiment, the hollow cylindrical tube and the one or more loopsis made at least one of a food grade flexible material comprising atleast one of: silicone, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM),Fluorocarbon, Neoprene or Nitrile, metals, and other hard materials safefor skin. In an embodiment, the material of the hollow cylindrical tubeis high heat resistant. The flexible material insulates the user'sfingers from heat dissipated by the smoking element. Thus, the sanitarysmoking apparatus protects the user from germs and bodily fluids even ifthe same smoking element is smoked by another user.

The sanitary smoking apparatus 100 further comprises a top portion and abottom portion of the distal end of the hollow cylindrical tubecomprises at least one or more loops. In an embodiment, the distal endof the hollow cylindrical tube is configured to be stretched apart usingthe one or more loops. In an embodiment, the distal end is configured tohold a smoking element and the proximal end is inserted in a mouth of auser. In an embodiment, the smoking element comprises at least one of acigarette, a cigar, a tobacco cigarette, cannabis cigarette, a blunt, ajoint, a rollup, e-cigarettes, vape cartridges, or a narrow cylindercontaining a psychoactive material.

In an embodiment, the one or more loops are used as a gripping mechanismto hold the sanitary smoking apparatus. In an embodiment, the one ormore loops are arranged diametrically, and the one or more loops fixedlyjoin an outer surface of the distal end of the hollow cylindrical tube.In an embodiment, the top portion and the bottom portion of the distalend of the hollow cylindrical tube are configured to be stretched apartusing at least one of: hinges, torsion springs, magnets, or screws.

When the user smokes the smoking element then the smoke passes via thehollow cylindrical tube from the distal end to the proximal end into themouth of the user, thereby forming a channel for smoking.

The sanitary smoking apparatus 100 further comprises a hollow conicalstructure disposed within the hollow cylindrical tube. In an embodiment,the hollow conical structure having a wide base end and an opposingtapered nose cone end, each end forming an opening in fluidcommunication through a channel running concentrically through an innerconical smoking tip, the wide base end forming a pair of slits thatallow the wide base end to be expanded for receiving the smokingelement, each of the ends having a first diameter.

As FIG. 1 shows, tube 102 (interchangeably termed as hollow cylindricaltube) has a cigarette insert end 104 (interchangeably termed as thedistal end) defining multiple longitudinal slits 106 a, 106 b and ahandle portion 112 (interchangeably termed as one or more loops). Handleportion 112 is operable to pull apart longitudinal sections 108 a, 108 bof the cigarette insert end 104, along the slits 106 a, 106 b. Thisserves to increase the diameter of the cigarette insert end 104, so asto enable ingress of a cigarette 300 (interchangeably termed as smokingelement). Tube 102 also defines an opposing, and resilient, mouth end110 defining a diameter that stretches to increase, and then biases backto the natural cylindrical shape. This enables a mouthpiece to be snuglyinserted into mouth end 110 of tube 102, if desired.

Once the cigarette 300 has been affixed inside the cigarette insert end104, and the mouth piece inserted inside the mouth end 110, the sanitarysmoking tip 100 enables a smoker to smoke and share a cigarette 300without contact of the other smoker's 800 saliva or germs. Such anarrangement of cigarette 300 and mouthpiece inside tube 102 of sanitarysmoking tip 100 also minimizes the times that the smoker 800 touches thesame cigarette 300 with different hands. In some embodiments, sanitarysmoking tip 100 may be used to securely and safely retain a cigarette300 (interchangeably termed as smoking element), including, withoutlimitation: a tobacco cigarette, a cannabis cigarette, a blunt, a joint,a cigar, and any a narrow cylinder containing psychoactive material.

FIG. 2 illustrates a frontal view of the sanitary smoking tip shown inFIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

In one aspect of the present invention, shown in FIG. 2, a sanitarysmoking tip 100 comprising a flexible, cylindrical-shaped tube 102defining a channel 200 having opposing openings, the tube 102 furtherdefining a cigarette insert end 104 and an opposing mouth end 110, thecigarette insert end 104 defining one or more slits 106 a, 106 b, theslits 106 a-b segregating the cigarette insert end 104 into multiplelongitudinal sections 108 a, 108 b. The slits 106 a-b are configured toenable adjacent longitudinal sections 108 a-b of the cigarette insertend 104 to separate.

The flexible configuration of the cigarette insert end 104 configured tobias the adjacent longitudinal sections 108 a-b together, so as to formthe natural cylindrical-shaped tube 102. The mouth end 110 beingsufficiently pliable, so as to enable the diameter to increase. Further,a handle portion 112 disposed on the cigarette insert end 104, thehandle portion 112 providing a grip surface to enable pulling andseparating the longitudinal sections 108 a-b of the cigarette insert end104. In an embodiment, when the longitudinal sections 108 a-b of thecigarette insert end 104 are separated, the cigarette 300 ingresses thecigarette insert end 104.

In an embodiment, when the longitudinal sections 108 a, 108 b are in thenatural tubular shape, the cigarette 300 is snugly retained inside thecigarette insert end 104. In an embodiment, when a mouth piece ingressesthe mouth end 110, the diameter increases, so as to create a snug fitwith the mouth piece. In a second aspect, the tube 102 is fabricatedfrom a food grade silicone.

In another aspect, the one or more slits 106 a, 106 b comprises twoopposing slits 106 a, 106 b that extend at least 10% of the longitudinalof the cigarette insert end 104. In another aspect, the cigarette 300 isat least one of the following: a tobacco cigarette 300, cannabiscigarette 300, a blunt, a joint, a cigar, any a narrow cylindercontaining psychoactive material. In another aspect, the handle portion112 comprises a pair of flexible rings arranged diametrically. Inanother aspect, the handle portion 112 fixedly joins the outer surfaceof the cigarette insert end 104.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the sanitary smoking tip shown in FIG.1, showing a cigarette aligned with the cigarette insert end of thetube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As referenced in FIG. 3, sanitary smoking tip 100 comprises a flexible,cylindrical-shaped tube 102. Tube 102 defines a channel 200 withopposing openings. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tube 102 isfabricated from a food grade silicone. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that food grade silicone is a non-toxic type of silicone,which contains no chemical fillers or byproducts; thereby making a safeto insert into the mouth of the smoker. Furthermore, food grade siliconeis a non-toxic silicone that can withstand heating and freezing withoutleaching or off-gassing, hazardous chemicals. Due to the use of foodgrade silicon, the sanitary smoking tip 100 can be easily molded andmass-produced from a distributor that makes silicone molds.

Tube 102 is generally elongated forms and inner channel. The ends of thetwo are defined by a cigarette insert end 104 and an opposing mouth end110. The cigarette insert end 104 may have one or more slits 106 a, 106b (See FIG. 4). FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal view of the sanitarysmoking tip, showing the fingers applying outward pressure on the handleportion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In one possible embodiment, opposing slits 106 a, 106 b extend thelength of at least 10% from the terminus of the cigarette insert end 104into the body of the tube 102. Slits 106 a-b create separation betweenlongitudinal sections 108 a-b of the tube 102, which allows thecigarette insert end 104 be separated into multiple longitudinalsections 108 a, 108 b along the length of slits 106 a, 106 b. Asdiscussed, this increases the diameter of the cigarette insert end 104,so as to insert the cigarette 300 into the channel. In essence, thelongitudinal slits 106 a, 106 b are configured to enable adjacentlongitudinal sections 108 a, 108 b of the cigarette insert end 104 toseparate.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the sanitary smoking tip, showing thelongitudinal sections of the cigarette insertion end separated to enableinsertion of the cigarette, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 5 illustrates the longitudinal sections 108 a,108 b being separated in such a manner, along the length of the slits106 a, 106 b. However, after the longitudinal sections 108 a, 108 b arereleased, the flexible configuration of the cigarette insert end 104biases the adjacent longitudinal sections 108 a, 108 b together, so asto form the natural cylindrical-shaped tube 102 (See FIG. 6). Thisserves to snugly retain the cigarette 300 therein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the sanitary smoking tip, showing thelongitudinal sections of the cigarette insertion end in the natural tubeposition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Looking now at the opposite end of tube 102, the mouth end 110 issufficiently pliable, so as to enable the diameter to increase. Thus,the smoker can forcibly insert a mouthpiece into the opening of themouth and for tube 102. The pliable configuration of the mouth and alsoallows the smoker to easily pull, or pluck, the mouthpiece from mouthend 110 of tube 102.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the sanitary smoking tip, showing thelongitudinal sections of the cigarette insertion end in the natural tubeposition snugly retaining the mouth end of the cigarette, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 7,sanitary smoking tip 100 also provides a handle portion 112 affixed tothe cigarette insert end 104. Handle portion 112 provides a grip surfaceto enable pulling and separating the longitudinal sections 108 a, 108 bof the cigarette insert end 104. Looking at the illustrations, it isevident that without handle portion 112, it would be difficult all thelongitudinal sections 108 a, 108 b apart without inserting fingers intothe cigarette insert end 104 of the two, which inadvertently wouldincrease germs therein. Thus, the handle portion 112 also reduce germsand contamination between smokers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a smoker receiving the sanitarysmoking tip, and a cigarette inserted therein, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In one non-limiting embodiment,handle portion 112 comprises a pair of flexible rings arrangeddiametrically. This use of two rings on opposite ends of the allows thefinger and thumb to naturally pry apart the cigarette insert end 104 oftube 102, so as to ingress the cigarette into tube 102 (See FIG. 8).However, handle portion 112 can also be shaped in a square, oval,triangular, and irregular shape. The shape can be configured in such amanner for ornamental effect. Thus, when longitudinal sections 108 a,108 b of cigarette insert end 104 are separated by gripping handleportion 112, the diameter of the cigarette insert end 102 increasessufficiently so that the cigarette 300 easily ingresses, or slides, intothe cigarette insert end 104.

Thereafter, the smoker can release the handles, allowing the cigarette300 insert end to bias towards the natural tube 102 shape. Thus, whenthe longitudinal sections 108 a, 108 b are in the natural tubular shape,the cigarette 300 is snugly retained inside the cigarette insert end104. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the sanitary smokingtip 100, showing the longitudinal sections 108 a, 108 b of the cigaretteinsertion end 104 in the natural tube 102 position snugly retaining themouth end 110 of the cigarette 300. Similarly, the smoker can once againpry apart the longitudinal sections 108 a-b of cigarette insert end 104after finishing the smoke.

Looking now at the opposing mouth end 110 of the two, when a mouth pieceingresses mouth end 110, the diameter increases, so as to create a snugfit with the mouth piece. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe mouthpiece can be a slender with an interior channel that is definedby a flattened mouth portion terminating in a slotted end that thesmoker can purse the lips around, and a wide end that mates with mouthend 110 of tube 102. However, in some embodiments, sanitary smoking tipmay be used without inserting mouthpiece therein, whereby the smoker 800simply sucks on mouth end of the tube 102.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate perspective view of a smoker smoking a cigarette300 with the sanitary smoking tip 100. As illustrated, FIG. 9A shows thesmoker pulling the handle portion 112 apart to separate the longitudinalsections 108 a, 108 b of the cigarette insert end 104. FIG. 9B shows thecigarette 300 aligned with the opening at the cigarette insert end 104of the tube 102. FIG. 9C shows cigarette 300 fully inserted, and thethumb and finger holding the sanitary smoking tip 100 to press down oncigarette 300. Thus, when the longitudinal sections 108 a, 108 b are inthe natural tubular shape, cigarette 300 is snugly retained inside thecigarette insert end 104. FIG. 9D illustrates the finger passing throughthe handle portion 112 ring while smoking.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method forsmoking with a sanitary smoking tip, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

A method of smoking the smoking element comprises inserting one or morefingers of a user in one or more loops of a sanitary smoking apparatusfor gripping the sanitary smoking apparatus. The sanitary smokingapparatus comprises a hollow cylindrical tube having a proximal end anda distal end. In an embodiment, the distal end has a slit opening. In anembodiment, the hollow cylindrical tube and the one or more loops ismade of a food grade flexible material comprising at least one of:silicone, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), Fluorocarbon,Neoprene or Nitrile, metals, and other hard materials safe for skin. Inan embodiment, the material of the hollow cylindrical tube is high heatresistant.

The method further comprises stretching the one or more loops to applypressure in a direction perpendicular to a length of the hollowcylindrical tube using the inserted fingers such that the slit openingexpands. In an embodiment, when the slit opening expands, a diameter ofthe distal end of the hollow cylindrical tube increases.

The method further comprises inserting the smoking element, at thedistal end, inside the expanded slit opening of the hollow cylindricaltube.

The method further comprises releasing the pressure on the one or moreloops such that the one or more loops retract and revert to an originalstate. The method further comprises securing the smoking elementinserted in the slit opening by pressing the one or more loops towardseach other. The method further comprises inserting the proximal end ofthe hollow cylindrical tube in a mouth of a user to perform smoking ofthe smoking element. In an embodiment, the flexible material insulatesthe user's fingers from heat dissipated by the smoking element. Further,the sanitary smoking apparatus protects the user from germs and bodilyfluids even if the same smoking element is smoked by another user.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method 1000 forsmoking with a sanitary smoking tip. Method 1000 may include an initialStep 1002 of providing a sanitary smoking tip having a flexible tubethat forms a channel with opposing open ends, a cigarette insert endforming multiple slits, and an opposing mouth end, the smoking tipfurther having a handle portion at the cigarette insert end. Method 1000may further comprise a Step 1004 of gripping the handle portion with thefingers. A Step 1006 includes prying open the cigarette insert end alongthe length of the slits, such that the diameter increases. Referringback to FIG. 9A shows the smoker pulling the handle portion apart toseparate the longitudinal sections of the cigarette insert end. A Step1008 comprises inserting a cigarette into the opening of the cigaretteinsert end. Referring back to FIG. 9B shows the cigarette aligned withthe opening at the cigarette insert end of the tube.

In some embodiments, a Step 1010 includes releasing outward pressure onthe handle portion, so as to enable the tube to bias towards the naturaltube position. In some embodiments, a Step 1012 may include pressingdown on the handle portion to secure the cigarette into the cigaretteinsert end. A Step 1014 comprises forcibly inserting a mouthpiece intothe mouth end of the tube. Method 1000 may further comprise a Step 1016of smoking the cigarette, whereby the silicone material of the tubehelps insulate the fingers from the heat. Referring back to FIG. 9Cshows the cigarette fully inserted, and the thumb and finger holding thesanitary smoking tip to press down on the cigarette.

The present disclosure is unique in that the smoking tip can havedifferent variations of shape and size. Not only is the smoking tip 100scalable, but multiple variations can work together to more securely andsanitarily retain the cigarette. One such possible variation is adual-tube smoking tip 1100, where an inner conical smoking tip having afirst diameter, and an outer cylindrical smoking tip having a seconddiameter stack inside each other. The first diameter is smaller, suchthat the inner conical smoking tip resides inside the interior cavity ofthe outer cylindrical smoking tip. However, as in the aforementionedsanitary smoking tip 100, the cigarette 300 is securely retained forsanitary smoking between multiple smokers.

FIGS. 11A-11E illustrate perspective views of an alternative embodimentof the sanitary smoking tip, where FIG. 11A shows an inner conicalsmoking tip.

For example, the alternative embodiment of the dual-tube smoking tip1100 is shown in FIG. 11A where an inner conical smoking tip 1102 havinga wide base end 1104 a and an opposing tapered nose cone end 1104 b.Each end 1104 a-b forms an opening in fluid communication through achannel that runs concentrically through the inner conical smoking tip1102. The inner conical smoking tip 1102 has a generally conical shape,and a first small and large diameter at both ends, respectively. A pairof opposing slits 1106 a, 1106 b allow the base end 1104 a to beexpanded for receiving the cigarette. FIG. 11B shows an outercylindrical smoking tip having a larger diameter. Specifically, FIG. 11Bshows an outer cylindrical smoking tip 1108 defining a wide base end1110 a and a rounded nose 1110 b. Each end 1110 a-b forms an opening influid communication through a channel that runs concentrically throughthe outer cylindrical smoking tip 1108. Further, the outer cylindricalsmoking tip 1108 has a second diameter that is larger than the firstdiameter. This allows the outer cylindrical smoking tip 1108 to alignwith, and receive the inner conical smoking tip 1102. A pair of opposingslits 1112 a, 1112 b allow the wide base end 1110 a to be expanded forreceiving the cigarette.

FIG. 11C shows a ring-shaped handle portion. Specifically, FIG. 11Cshows a ring-shaped handle portion 1114 that affixes to wide base end1110 a of outer cylindrical smoking tip 1108. This use of two rings onopposite ends of the allows the finger and thumb to naturally pry apartthe wide base end 1110 a of outer cylindrical smoking tip 1108, and baseend 1104 a of inner conical smoking tip 1102 to enable ingress of thecigarette 300 therein.

FIG. 11D shows the inner conical smoking tip and the outer cylindricalsmoking tip, with slits in each smoking tip. Specifically, incombination, FIG. 11D shows the inner conical smoking tip 1102 and theouter cylindrical smoking tip 1108, with slits 1106 a-b, 1112 a-b ineach smoking tip. Since the smoking tips 1102, 1108 fit snugly together,the slits are aligned, such that the wide base ends 1104 a, 1110 a canbe pried apart simultaneously to further increase the diameter of thedual-tube smoking tip 1100.

With reference to FIG. 11A-11E the alternative embodiment of thesanitary smoking tip is described below. The a dual-tube sanitarysmoking tip, comprises a flexible inner conical smoking tip defining awide base end and an opposing tapered nose cone end, each end forming anopening in fluid communication through a channel running concentricallythrough the inner conical smoking tip, the wide base end forming a pairof slits that allow the wide base end to be expanded for receiving acigarette, the ends each having a first diameter. A flexible outercylindrical smoking tip defining a wide base end and a rounded nose,each end forming an opening in fluid communication through a channelthat runs concentrically through the outer cylindrical smoking tip. Thewide base end forms a pair of slits that allow the wide base end to beexpanded for receiving the cigarette, the ends each having a seconddiameter larger than the first diameter.

In an embodiment, the flexible inner conical smoking tip is disposedinside the channel of the outer cylindrical smoking tip. The dual-tubesanitary smoking tip further comprises a ring-shaped handle portionattached to the wide base end of the outer cylindrical smoking tip. Thehandle portion provides a grip surface to enable pulling and separatingthe longitudinal sections of the wide base end for both smoking tips,whereby the cigarette ingresses both channels of the smoking tips.

Further, FIG. 11E shows the inner conical smoking tip disposed insidethe cavity of the outer cylindrical smoking tip, such that both smokingtips can receive a cigarette in a secure, safe manner. This doublelayered configuration has greater structural integrity, and providesgreater insulation against the heat of the cigarette. Also, the innerconical smoking tip 1102, having a smaller diameter at both ends, and avery narrow nose cone end 1104 b, provides greater grip on cigarette300.

FIGS. 12A-12L illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a torsion spring arrangement in order to createthe slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12A illustrates a side view of the sanitary smoking apparatushaving a torsion spring arrangement in order to create the slit/splitopening. A protrusion is provided at a center portion so that a user canpress on the protrusion to create the split/slit opening for insertingthe smoking element.

FIG. 12B illustrates an exploded view of the sanitary smoking apparatushaving a torsion spring arrangement. The torsion spring is used to pressthe protrusion and because of the tension of the torsion spring, theopenable portion closes back which helps to snugly grip the smokingelement inserted in the hollow tubular cylindrical structure.

FIG. 12C illustrates a top view of the sanitary smoking apparatus havinga torsion spring arrangement. FIG. 12D illustrates a pin that is used tomount the torsion spring on the hollow tubular cylindrical structure.FIG. 12E illustrates a back view of the sanitary smoking apparatushaving a torsion spring arrangement. FIG. 12F illustrates an explodedside view illustrating the different components in the sanitary smokingapparatus having a torsion spring arrangement. FIGS. 12G and 12Jillustrates an assembled sanitary smoking apparatus having a torsionspring arrangement.

FIGS. 12H and 12I illustrates different perspective views of thesanitary smoking apparatus having a torsion spring arrangement. FIG. 12Killustrates a side view in which the slits are in open position of thesanitary smoking apparatus having a torsion spring arrangement. FIG. 12Lillustrates another side view of the sanitary smoking apparatus having atorsion spring arrangement.

FIGS. 13A-13F illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a hinge based arrangement in order to createthe slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13F illustrates a side view of the hinge based arrangementof the sanitary smoking apparatus when the slits/splits are in closedposition. FIG. 13B illustrates a side view of the hinge basedarrangement of the sanitary smoking apparatus when the slits/splits arein open position. FIG. 13C illustrates a front view of the hinge basedarrangement of the sanitary smoking apparatus when the slits/splits arein closed position. FIGS. 13D and 13E combinedly illustrates an explodedview of the hinge based arrangement of the sanitary smoking apparatus.

FIGS. 14A-14I illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a tweezers based arrangement in order to createthe slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 14A illustrates a left hand side view of the sanitary smokingapparatus having a tweezers based arrangement. FIG. 14B illustrates aright hand side view of the sanitary smoking apparatus having a tweezersbased arrangement. FIG. 14C illustrates a perspective view of thesanitary smoking apparatus having a tweezers based arrangement. Eachprong of the tweezers shown in FIG. 14 C is connected one half of thetubular structure. When the tweezers are in open position the smokingelement is inserted in the tubular structure and when the tweezers arepressed then the smoking element snugly fits in the hollow space withinthe tubular structure. FIG. 14D illustrates a top view of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a tweezers based arrangement. FIG. 14Eillustrates a bottom side view of the sanitary smoking apparatus havinga tweezers based arrangement. FIGS. 14F and 14G illustrates the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a tweezers based arrangement in an openpositon. FIG. 14H illustrates a perspective view of the sanitary smokingapparatus having a tweezers based arrangement. FIG. 14I illustratesanother perspective view of the sanitary smoking apparatus having atweezers based arrangement.

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a thimble based arrangement in order to createthe slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 15A illustrates a perspective view of the sanitary smokingapparatus having a thimble based arrangement in order to create theslit/split opening. The user can insert his finger in each of thecircular openings to then pry them apart to create the slit/splitopening. The smoking element is then inserted in the slit/split and theuser then depresses the openings so that the smoking element snugly fitsinto the cylindrical hollow structure. FIG. 15B illustrates a bottom andtop view of the sanitary smoking apparatus having a thimble basedarrangement in order to create the slit/split opening.

FIGS. 16A-16D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the sanitarysmoking apparatus having a roach clip based arrangement in order tocreate the slit/split opening, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 16A illustrates a perspective view of the sanitary smokingapparatus having a roach clip based arrangement in order to create theslit/split opening. FIG. 16A shows the smoking apparatus having a roachclip based arrangement in a closed position. FIG. 16B illustrates a sideview of the sanitary smoking apparatus having a roach clip basedarrangement in order to create the slit/split opening. Each of the frontportions of the roach clip are connected with the cylindrical hollowtube. When the roach clip is pressed the cylindrical hollow tube splitsapart thereby creating the slit/split opening. The smoking element isinserted in the slit/split opening and then the pressure applied on theroach clip is released so that the smoking element snugly fits into thecylindrical hollow structure. FIG. 16C illustrates the openings providedin the cylindrical tube structure where each of the front portions ofthe roach clip are inserted. FIG. 16A shows the smoking apparatus havinga roach clip based arrangement in an open position thereby creating theslit/split opening for inserting the smoking element.

Various embodiments of the invention provide method and sanitary smokingapparatus for performing smoking in a healthy manner. The disclosedembodiments encompass numerous advantages. The flexible materialinsulates the user's fingers from heat dissipated by the smokingelement. Further, the sanitary smoking apparatus protects the user fromgerms and bodily fluids even if the same smoking element is smoked byanother user. Further, various ways of creating the slit/split openingsmake the sanitary smoking apparatus more advantageous and easy to use.

The claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, orwell understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the followingsolutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies.

The specification has described a method and a sanitary smokingapparatus. The illustrated steps are set out to explain the exemplaryembodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that ongoingtechnological development will change the manner in which particularfunctions are performed. These examples are presented herein forpurposes of illustration, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries ofthe functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein forthe convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can bedefined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof areappropriately performed. Alternatives (including equivalents,extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein)will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope andspirit of the disclosed embodiments.

It is intended that the disclosure and examples be considered asexemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of disclosed embodimentsbeing indicated by the following claims.

In some embodiments, any combination of shapes, sizes, and textures ofinner and/or outer smoking tips may be used. For example, an innerconical smoking tip can reside inside an outer cylindrical smoking tip.Or a cylindrical conical smoking tip can reside inside an outer conicalsmoking tip. Or a rectangular smoking tip can operate independently. Ora rectangular smoking tip can reside inside a cylindrical conicalsmoking tip. Or an irregularly shaped smoking tip can serve as an outeror inner smoking tip in relation to a cylindrical, conical, orrectangular smoking tip. In yet another embodiment, a tapered smokingtip may be used independently, or inside a shaped smoking tip having alarger diameter. Further, any shape that is efficacious for retaining aportion of a cigarette, as defined here, may also be used in unitaryfashion, or on the inside or outside of another smoking tip to optimizeretention of the cigarette.

In conclusion, sanitary smoking tip and method of smoking includes atubular or conical shaped flexible tube. The tube defines a cigaretteinsert end that has longitudinal slits and a handle portion. The handleportion is operable to pull apart longitudinal sections of the cigaretteinsert end, along the slits. This serves to increase the diameter of thecigarette insert end, so as to enable ingress of a cigarette. Thelongitudinal sections are biased to return to the natural tube shapeafter the cigarette has been inserted. The tube also defines anopposing, and resilient, mouth end having a diameter that stretches toincrease for snugly inserting a mouthpiece inside. Once the cigarettehas been affixed inside the cigarette insert end, and the mouth pieceinserted inside the mouth end, the sanitary smoking tip enables a smokerto smoke and share a cigarette without contact from other smoker'ssaliva and germs.

Although the process-flow diagrams show a specific order of executingthe process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changedrelative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or moreblocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partialconcurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted fromthe process-flow diagrams for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments,some or all the process steps shown in the process-flow diagrams can becombined into a single process.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalence.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sanitary smoking apparatus, the sanitarysmoking apparatus comprising: a hollow cylindrical tube having aproximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end has at least oneslit opening; and a top portion and a bottom portion of the distal endof the hollow cylindrical tube comprises at least one or more loops,wherein the distal end of the hollow cylindrical tube is configured tobe stretched apart using the one or more loops, wherein the distal endis configured to hold a smoking element, and wherein the proximal end isinserted in a mouth of a user.
 2. The sanitary smoking apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the hollow cylindrical tube and the one or more loopsis made at least one of a food grade flexible material comprising atleast one of: silicone, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM),Fluorocarbon, Neoprene or Nitrile, metals, and other hard materials safefor skin, wherein the material of the hollow cylindrical tube is highheat resistant.
 3. The sanitary smoking apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe flexible material insulates the user's fingers from heat dissipatedby the smoking element, and wherein the sanitary smoking apparatusprotects the user from germs and bodily fluids even if the same smokingelement is smoked by another user.
 4. The sanitary smoking apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the smoking element comprises at least one of acigarette, a cigar, a tobacco cigarette, cannabis cigarette, a blunt, ajoint, a rollup, e-cigarettes, vape cartridges, or a narrow cylindercontaining a psychoactive material.
 5. The sanitary smoking apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein when the user smokes the smoking element then the smokepasses via the hollow cylindrical tube from the distal end to theproximal end into the mouth of the user, thereby forming a channel forsmoking.
 6. The sanitary smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oneor more loops are used as a gripping mechanism to hold the sanitarysmoking apparatus, wherein the one or more loops are arrangeddiametrically, wherein the one or more loops fixedly join an outersurface of the distal end of the hollow cylindrical tube.
 7. Thesanitary smoking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hollowconical structure disposed within the hollow cylindrical tube.
 8. Thesanitary smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow conicalstructure having a wide base end and an opposing tapered nose cone end,each end forming an opening in fluid communication through a channelrunning concentrically through an inner conical smoking tip, the widebase end forming a pair of slits that allow the wide base end to beexpanded for receiving the smoking element, each of the ends having afirst diameter.
 9. The sanitary smoking apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe at least one slit opening comprises two opposing slits that extendin either a longitudinal direction or a horizontal direction of thedistal end.
 10. The sanitary smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein thetop portion and the bottom portion of the distal end of the hollowcylindrical tube are configured to be stretched apart using at least oneof: hinges, torsion springs, magnets, or screws
 11. A method of smoking,the method comprising: inserting one or more fingers of a user in one ormore loops of a sanitary smoking apparatus for gripping the sanitarysmoking apparatus, the sanitary smoking apparatus comprising a hollowcylindrical tube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein thedistal end has a slit opening; stretching the one or more loops to applypressure in a direction perpendicular to a length of the hollowcylindrical tube using the inserted fingers such that the slit openingexpands; inserting a smoking element, at the distal end, inside theexpanded slit opening of the hollow cylindrical tube; releasing thepressure on the one or more loops such that the one or more loopsretract and revert to an original state; securing the smoking elementinserted in the slit opening by pressing the one or more loops towardseach other; and inserting the proximal end of the hollow cylindricaltube in a mouth of a user to perform smoking of the smoking element. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein when the slit opening expands, adiameter of the distal end of the hollow cylindrical tube increases. 13.The sanitary smoking apparatus of claim 11, wherein the hollowcylindrical tube and the one or more loops is made of a food gradeflexible material comprising at least one of: silicone, EthylenePropylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), Fluorocarbon, Neoprene or Nitrile,metals, and other hard materials safe for skin, wherein the material ofthe hollow cylindrical tube is high heat resistant.
 14. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the flexible material insulates the user's fingersfrom heat dissipated by the smoking element, and wherein the sanitarysmoking apparatus protects the user from germs and bodily fluids even ifthe same smoking element is smoked by another user.